https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/rss NZME Get the latest political and government news from Newstalk ZB's Beehive team. Sat, 30 May 2026 11:31:50 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/same-old-cliche-paul-goldsmith-brushes-off-dame-lynda-topp-s-criticism/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/same-old-cliche-paul-goldsmith-brushes-off-dame-lynda-topp-s-criticism/ By Craig McCulloch of RNZ Fri, 29 May 2026 03:22:54 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/new-york-mayor-zohran-mamdani-inspired-by-auckland-s-residential-zoning/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/new-york-mayor-zohran-mamdani-inspired-by-auckland-s-residential-zoning/ By Niva Chittock of RNZ Fri, 29 May 2026 02:45:22 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-pm-christopher-luxon-fronts-media-ahead-of-post-budget-speech/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-pm-christopher-luxon-fronts-media-ahead-of-post-budget-speech/ Fri, 29 May 2026 00:08:15 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/chloee-swarbrick-revisits-okay-boomer-speech-as-greens-call-for-high-level-powers-to-help-fight-climate-change/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/chloee-swarbrick-revisits-okay-boomer-speech-as-greens-call-for-high-level-powers-to-help-fight-climate-change/ The Green Party wants to “invite more public discussion” about the idea using Reserve Bank-style “teeth” to force the Government into reducing New Zealand’s emissions and meeting its climate goals, co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said today. Thu, 28 May 2026 08:47:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-longer-postnatal-stays-for-mothers-finance-minister-nicola-willis/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-longer-postnatal-stays-for-mothers-finance-minister-nicola-willis/ To follow the latest Budget coverage, click here for our live blog. Thu, 28 May 2026 04:32:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-creates-almost-500m-stash-to-address-fuel-crisis-fuel-price-forecasts-revealed/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-creates-almost-500m-stash-to-address-fuel-crisis-fuel-price-forecasts-revealed/ Almost half a billion dollars is being held in reserve by the Government in Budget 26 to address further shocks caused by high fuel prices amid an ongoing and unpredictable conflict in the Middle East. Thu, 28 May 2026 03:08:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-government-spends-7b-on-new-hospitals-roads-and-schools-here-s-where-they-are/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-government-spends-7b-on-new-hospitals-roads-and-schools-here-s-where-they-are/ Upgrades to hospitals, new school developments and extending the Waikato Expressway are among the big-ticket items in the Government’s boosted capital spend in Budget 2026. Thu, 28 May 2026 03:05:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-big-education-boost-what-s-in-it-for-your-kids/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-big-education-boost-what-s-in-it-for-your-kids/ A $2.1 billion chunk of Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ Budget is going to education, ahead of massive reforms for secondary schools with the scrapping of the country’s landmark national qualification. Thu, 28 May 2026 03:00:29 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-schools-and-hospitals-win-banks-get-surprise-tax-nicola-willis-gets-to-surplus-and-launches-super-sized-attack-on-nz-first-and-labour-for-robbing-kiwis-under-50/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-schools-and-hospitals-win-banks-get-surprise-tax-nicola-willis-gets-to-surplus-and-launches-super-sized-attack-on-nz-first-and-labour-for-robbing-kiwis-under-50/ Schools, hospitals and the motorists of Waikato are the winners of Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ final budget of this term, with major losers including banks, which will face an additional tax worth $209 million. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:52:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-corrections-and-prisons-see-additional-funding/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-corrections-and-prisons-see-additional-funding/ $1.3 billion dollars for the justice system, with the Government expecting prison growth. The Budget sets aside $487 million dollars for easing pressures on inmate populations, including for hiring Corrections officers. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:42:25 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-changes-to-supergold-card-revealed/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-changes-to-supergold-card-revealed/ Changes to the SuperGold card, with $40 million dollars going into converting it into an ID card. They'll soon be printed with the holder’s photo, allowing seniors to use it to prove their identity. Seniors Minister Casey Costello says life can be difficult for those without a driver license or passport. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:37:53 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-foreign-aid-sees-additional-financial-boost/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-foreign-aid-sees-additional-financial-boost/ A Budget win for Winston Peters, as he secures a boost in foreign aid.  Thu, 28 May 2026 02:35:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-hospital-infrastructure-sees-financial-boost/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-hospital-infrastructure-sees-financial-boost/ Plans for a new hospital in South Auckland. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:29:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-bowel-cancer-screening-age-to-be-lowered/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-bowel-cancer-screening-age-to-be-lowered/ The bowel cancer screening age is lowering to 56 by the end of September. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:25:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-new-kiwirail-investments-announced-for-next-five-years/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-new-kiwirail-investments-announced-for-next-five-years/ Rail's getting a significant boost. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:22:15 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-trades-training-sees-financial-boost/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-trades-training-sees-financial-boost/ A trades training boost is coming at the expense of fees-free university. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:18:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-waikato-expressway-set-to-get-extended/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-waikato-expressway-set-to-get-extended/ The Transport Minister says the Government’s getting on with extending the Waikato Expressway, to the tune of $1.7-billion. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:15:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-tax-credits-capped-for-donors/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-tax-credits-capped-for-donors/ Donation rules are changing, with tax credits capped for donors. It means taxpayers can only get tax-write offs from donations up to $100,000 - meaning a maximum $33,000. Revenue Minister Simon Watts says this will make the system more sustainable - and limits benefits for people donating to charities they own themselves. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:13:35 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-unveils-new-financial-reserve-amid-ongoing-fuel-crisis/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-unveils-new-financial-reserve-amid-ongoing-fuel-crisis/ The Government is setting aside $450 million in funding, in case the fuel crisis worsens and it needs to hand out more support. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:11:36 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-unveils-new-levy-for-banks-and-insurance-companies/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-unveils-new-levy-for-banks-and-insurance-companies/ The Government’s coming after banks and insurance companies with a new levy. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:09:03 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-set-to-reach-surplus-by-202829-financial-year/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-govt-set-to-reach-surplus-by-202829-financial-year/ Against expectation, the Government will reach surplus a year earlier than forecast. Treasury’s forecasting a $2.6 billion dollar surplus in the 2028/29 financial year - the first in a decade. It’s a year earlier than predicted in December's Half Year Fiscal Update. The forecast uses the OBEGALx measure, which excludes ACC. Contributions to the Super Fund will also rise to $3.1 billion over the next four years, $2.2 billion more than expected. Treasury’s predicting the economy will grow 1.2 percent this year - 0.5 percent lower than forecast in December, due to the ongoing oil price shock. Growth will rebound to 2.3 percent next year, and 3.2 percent in 2028. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:06:58 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-health-and-infrastructure-key-priorities/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-health-and-infrastructure-key-priorities/ Infrastructure and health are the big priorities in this year's Budget, as banks face a new levy, and cuts take shape. Thu, 28 May 2026 02:04:28 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-finance-minister-nicola-willis-delivers-wins-for-schools-and-hospitals/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-finance-minister-nicola-willis-delivers-wins-for-schools-and-hospitals/ Wed, 27 May 2026 19:25:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/christopher-luxon-s-staffer-at-centre-of-climate-lobbying-allegations-revealed-as-former-chief-policy-advisor/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/christopher-luxon-s-staffer-at-centre-of-climate-lobbying-allegations-revealed-as-former-chief-policy-advisor/ The National Party staffer at the centre of the Z Energy and Fonterra climate lobbying debacle has been identified as Christopher Luxon’s former chief policy adviser. Wed, 27 May 2026 04:24:52 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/minister-concerned-govt-s-27m-loan-to-super-rugby-s-moana-pasifika-might-not-be-recovered/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/minister-concerned-govt-s-27m-loan-to-super-rugby-s-moana-pasifika-might-not-be-recovered/ Sport Minister Mark Mitchell can’t say whether the Government will see the return of a $2.75 million loan given to Super Rugby Pacific franchise Moana Pasifika, which has been placed in liquidation. Wed, 27 May 2026 03:35:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/nz-first-claims-national-act-breaching-coalition-agreement-after-homeschool-backdown/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/nz-first-claims-national-act-breaching-coalition-agreement-after-homeschool-backdown/ New Zealand First is alleging National and Act have breached the coalition agreement as the three governing parties claim victory regarding a backdown on proposed homeschool regulations. Wed, 27 May 2026 01:41:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/govt-spends-more-than-35m-on-ads-telling-drivers-how-to-cut-fuel-costs/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/govt-spends-more-than-35m-on-ads-telling-drivers-how-to-cut-fuel-costs/ More than $3.5 million of public money has been spent on an advertising campaign on how to save fuel as the pressure at the pump continues. The Government agency behind the campaign is applauding it as a success as the Energy Minister talks about the importance of value for money in spending. Azaria Howell reports. Tue, 26 May 2026 17:00:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/winston-peters-teases-good-news-regarding-outgoing-moana-pasifika-rugby-team/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/winston-peters-teases-good-news-regarding-outgoing-moana-pasifika-rugby-team/ Government minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is hinting at possible “good news” for the beleaguered Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific franchise, which owes the Crown $2.7 million among its debts. Tue, 26 May 2026 04:11:57 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/election-2026-labour-criticises-govt-crime-policies-as-bumper-stickers-but-won-t-commit-to-repealing-them/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/election-2026-labour-criticises-govt-crime-policies-as-bumper-stickers-but-won-t-commit-to-repealing-them/ Labour’s new justice spokeswoman, Camilla Belich, is criticising the coalition Government’s “bumper stickers” crime policies and for prioritising “soundbites” over substance but has stopped short of committing to repeal two of the laws her party finds most problematic. Tue, 26 May 2026 01:13:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/public-sector-cuts-potential-savings-to-be-made-with-hr-payroll-technology-shake-up/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/public-sector-cuts-potential-savings-to-be-made-with-hr-payroll-technology-shake-up/ Significant cost-savings are set to be made through potential cuts to human resources, legal services, technology, and payroll systems, as the Government eyes up reducing duplication. Mon, 25 May 2026 17:00:44 Z